New Face, New Place

First published February 15, 2010

Local man eats. From left to right: falafel, greens with lime, fresh bread and fuul.

KIFL is the Korean Institute for Foreign Language and located in the heart of Khartoum, Sudan. (Stick with me this gets complicated...) We, Americans, went to the Korean-owned school to sign up for Arabic classes. (With me so far?) Yes, we did study for a year in Cairo, however, we want to take a few more months of Arabic in Khartoum to help us with the local dialect.

John talked with the director for a bit and left our information with him. Afterward, one of the classes dismissed and we met a young woman named Laura. Laura hailed from New Mexico as a civil engineering student, but had lived in Sudan for over a year. Her warm smile and easy manner made us immediately at ease. We began asking her questions about her experiences here when she offered to show us around. Of course, I was thrilled. Then she asked if we were hungry. We nodded. She popped up and said, "Follow me."

We followed (like ducks in a row) to a little cafe nearby called, "Afrikan." This quaint, CLEAN cafe was preparing morning breakfast (It's around 10:30 am) and locals were gathering at the little tables. Laura ordered for us and we found a spot and waited for the food to arrive.

Soon baskets of goodness were set in front of us: fuul (beans, tomatoes, cheese, spices), fresh baked bread, greens with lime, falafel and amazingly enough a Diet Coke. Laura took the bread and set it in front of her. She then showed us how to pinch a piece of bread using only our right hand. After you have your piece you dip it into the fuul and scoop. It is permissible to use your left hand to tear the bread if needed, but NEVER use your left hand to pass a dish or to give something to someone.

"Why?" you ask. Because the left hand here is used for well...uh, let's just say hygiene purposes. We'll leave it at that. Sooooooo glad I'm not left-handed.

We ate and ate and ate, but couldn't come close to finishing our bowl. Following our delicious meal, we mentioned that we needed to find a store that sold lamps and such. Laura knew just the place. She hopped in the truck with us along with our friends and she expertly navigated us to a store called, "Home Care." As we entered the store, I looked back and realized that Laura had gone on ahead to a bus stop.

I hadn't had a chance to properly thank her, but John did. How grateful I am for new friends who so willingly offer their time, wisdom and experience to help newbies like myself. Makes me want to return the favor in kind with those around me. I wouldn't mind another trip to the cafe anyway.